best valentine's day makeup looks 2022
Cover Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style with these beautiful make-up looks (Photo: Korean star Han So-hee fronts Charlotte Tilbury's beauty campaign, courtesy of Charlotte Tilbury)

Whether you’re celebrating with your sweetheart or enjoying a night out with your girl squad, these beautiful make-up ideas will take your Valentine’s Day outfit to the next level

Love is in the air again. Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and regardless of your plans, dressing up for the occasion is a fun way to celebrate the season of love—whether that means a romantic date with your special someone, or a fun night out with your girlfriends.

To help you make a style statement this Valentine’s Day, we connected with leading beauty experts—Megumi Sekine, a Hong Kong-based make-up artist who has worked with A-listers including Carina Lau and Paris Hilton; and Karen Yiu, founder and chief make-up artist at Makeupbees—to find out the best make-up looks to try for the occasion, including all the tips and product recommendations on how to recreate them at home.

From gorgeous pink eyes to voluminous lashes and bold red lips, keep scrolling to get some inspiration for your upcoming date. 

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1. Dewy skin

For those who want a simple V-day make-up idea that doesn’t require hours of preparation, this one’s for you. While skinimalism and the idea of natural, dewy skin isn’t a new thing, the “no make-up" makeup look will continue to be popular and it’s not going anywhere this season, according to Megumi.

To achieve that perfect dewy glow, opt for a light coverage foundation as the base to enhance your skin’s natural appearance. Make sure you also apply some highlighting powder along the cheekbones and on top of your forehead to accentuate your facial features. 

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2. Rosy pink make-up look

Pink is a universally flattering colour—and what better time to experiment with a romantic rosy make-up look than Valentine’s Day? To achieve a perfect pink look and make your eyes stand out behind a face mask, choose an eyeshadow in a vibrant rose hue and add a dash of glitter to the inner corners.

Megumi also recommends using pink lipstick to complement the shimmering eyes for an elegant look.

3. Bold eyeliner

For a head-turning look, don’t be shy about going all out with your eye makeup. Instead of just applying eyeshadow, Megumi recommends using a bold red eyeliner to the lower lash line to make the eyes pop and amp up the overall look. You can also use a red lip liner to achieve the same effect.

Bonus points if you wear a smokey eye and give your lashes a volume boost with mascara.  

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4. Classic red lips

Nothing screams V-day more than a sultry red lip. Whether you’re keeping your look minimal or want to add a statement element to your make-up, this classic hue will leave a lasting impression wherever you go. Pro tip: “Choose a smooth, long-lasting matte formula that can keep your lips in place throughout the day,” says Karen.  

Read more: 10 Long-Lasting Lipsticks to Wear Under a Mask

5. Nude lips

A red lip will never go out of style that can instantly boost your confidence and elevate any outfit, but for beauty minimalists who want to keep things simple, give nude lips a go. Simple yet still glamorous, this ‘90s trend is making a major comeback this season, which makes for a great alternative to red hues for a more understated, sophisticated look, according to Karen.

Add some warm brown eyeshadows, highlighter on your cheekbones, and a dap of nude lip gloss—and you’re all set for the night.

6. Mermaid eye glitter

Who doesn’t enjoy a bit of glamour on V-day? The more sparkly the eye, the sweeter the night. “Just a hint of glitter on the lids can elevate your entire look, even with the use of natural colours,” says Karen. “For a playful take on wearing glitter, try this mermaid eyeshadow look, which graces the lids with a dreamy blend of purple and rose gold hues.”

The trick: apply the eyeshadow and glitter to the lower lash line as well, and keep everything else neutral to highlight the eye area. You can also add some gemstone decals in the same colour theme for an extra touch of glam.

7. Voluminous lashes

“One of the easiest ways to upgrade your make-up for V-day is to focus on your lashes,” says Karen. “Fluttering lashes are key to a seductive look. It’s also great for those who don’t like wearing lipstick but still want to make a statement.”

To prevent mascara from smudging, opt for a waterproof formula and apply an eyelid primer to reduce grease and make it last longer. Alternatively, you can also use false lashes to amplify your eyes.  

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